Information processor

ABSTRACT

In an information processor which stores and manages objects with attribute information added to the objects, an object is selected and attribute information of the object is stored in a storage medium. Then, in response to a command issued for copying the selected attribute information, the attribute information stored in the storage medium is added to another object. Thus, the same attribute information can be added to a different object easily. When the same attribute information is added to a plurality of objects, the attribute information selected are added to each of the objects at the same time and stored in a relation to each of the objects in the storage medium. Thus, the load for adding attribute information by a user is reduced largely. Beside. a main dictionary which registers attribute information, a sub-dictionary registers data for identifying attribute information for a part of the attribute information registered in the main dictionary. Then, an attribute information can be selected easily in a dictionary even if the number of attribute information therein is large.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an information processor which storesand manages objects with attribute information added to the objects.

2. Description of Prior Art

Recently, computers are becoming popular rapidly, and the amount ofelectronic information dealt by people is increasing fast. In order tomanage and use the electronic information efficiently, attribute dataare added to individual electronic information in a database system. Forexample, retrieve keys such as keywords are added as attributeinformation to individual data which should be managed, and a data isretrieved with use of the retrieve keys.

So far, such attribute information is added to electronic informationmanually by users. Therefore, it is a very big burden for users to addattribute information to each of a large amount of electronicinformation. Moreover, when the same attribute information which hasalready been added to a certain electronic information is added asattribute information to other electronic information, the user has torepeat the same procedure or has to do a complex operation, for example,by reading the existing attribute information, copying the same andsetting it as attribute information to other electronic information.

On the other hand, in a type of database management system, in order toimprove the easiness of operation, retrieve keys are registered in aretrieve key dictionary, and desired retrieve keys are selected from theretrieve key dictionary when retrieve keys are added to a data or whenretrieve keys are used for data retrieve. Retrieve keys registered inthe retrieve key dictionary are displayed for example as a list in ascreen, and desired keys are selected therein.

However, when the number of retrieve keys registered in the retrieve keydictionary increases, it becomes difficult for a user to look for adesired retrieve key. On the other hand, there is a tendency that aparticular user uses a limited type of retrieve keys or does not use theother retrieve keys so often.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of this invention is to provide an information processor whichreduces a burden of a user to add attribute information to a largeamount of electronic information.

Another object of this invention is to provide an information processorwhich adds existing attribute information to an electronic informationin a simple operation.

A further object of this invention is to provide an informationprocessor which adds the same attribute information to a large amount ofelectronic information in a simple operation.

A still further object of this invention is to provide an informationprocessor which selects desired. attribute information easily when thenumber of attribute information registered in a dictionary is large.

In one aspect of the invention on an information processor which storesand manages objects with attribute information added thereto, when anattribute information on an object is copied for another object, aselection means is selects an object, and a command issue means issues acommand to copy attribute information of the object. Then, a copy meansextracts the attribute information of the object and stores-it in astorage medium in response to the issuance of the command to copy. Anobject represents an electronic information which is a subject to bestored and managed by the information processor such as a text data, animage data or a folder which contains a text data, an image data or thelike. Further, attribute information represents a secondary information,added to an object as a subject to be managed, such as a retrieve key(keyword, color, form and the like), and creator, date of creation,size, comment or icon of the object. Preferably, another command isissued further to add the attribute information stored in the storagemedium to the another object, and an addition means adds the attributeinformation stored in the storage medium to the another object inresponse to the issuance of the command to add. Thus, the same attributeinformation can be added to a different object. easily.

In a second aspect of the invention on an information processor whichstores and manages objects with attribute information added to theobjects, a storage means is provided for storing an object and attributeinformation added to the object in a correspondence relation. When thesame attribute information is added to a plurality of objects, a firstselection means selects the objects, and a second selection meansselects attribute information. Then, an addition means adds the selectedattribute information to each of the objects at the same time and storesthe attribute information in a relation to each of the objects in thestorage medium. Thus, the load of a user for adding attributeinformation is reduced largely.

In a third aspect of the invention on an information processor whichstores and manages objects with attribute information added to theobjects, a main dictionary and a sub-dictionary are provided forretrieve. In the main dictionary attribute information and data foridentifying the attribute information are registered, while in thesub-dictionary, data for identifying attribute information for a part ofthat attribute information registered in said main dictionary areregistered. All the attribute information identified by the dataregistered in the sub-dictionary is displayed in a screen by the displaydevice, and a selection means selects an attribute information displayedin the screen. In the sub-dictionary, not the attribute information ,but data for or identifying attribute information ar e registered. Then,a substance represented by the attribute information is selected by theselection means with reference to the main dictionary and thesub-dictionary.

An advantage of this invention is that a burden of is a user for addingattribute information to a large amount of objects is decreased.

Another advantage of this invention is that the same attributeinformation can be added to a plurality of objects in a simpleoperation. A further advantage of this invention is that desiredattribute information can be selected easily in a dictionary even when alarge number of attribute information is registered in the dictionary.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other objects and features of the present invention willbecome clear from the following description taken in conjunction withthe preferred embodiments thereof with reference to the accompanyingdrawings, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an information processor;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a controller which controls the informationprocessor shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a diagram of an initial setting screen displayed in a displaydevice in a first embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a main routine of the system of the firstembodiment;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of copy attribute information processing;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of add attribute information processing;

FIG. 7 is a diagram of a data structure in a hard disk drive in whichkeywords are added as retrieve keys to each image data;

FIGS. 8A, 8B and 8C are diagrams of situations in an example whenattribute information is copied and added by drag and drop operation;

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of drag and drop processing;

FIG. 10 is a diagram of an initial setting screen displayed in a displaydevice in a second embodiment;

FIG. 11 is a diagram of a data structure in a hard disk drive;

FIG. 12 is a flowchart of a main routine;

FIG. 13 is a flowchart of add keyword;

FIG. 14 is a flowchart of display keyword;

FIG. 15 is a diagram of a keyword list displayed when two or more imagedata are selected;

FIG. 16 is a diagram of a keyword list displayed when one image data isselected;

FIG. 17 is a flowchart of keyword update;

FIG. 18 is a diagram when two or more keywords are drag-and-dropped;

FIG. 19 is a diagram when a keyword is drag-and-dropped;

FIG. 20 is a flowchart of add/change keyword;

FIG. 21 is a diagram of the keyword display list when the keyword“romantic” is added by drag and drop;

FIG. 22 is a diagram of a screen in a third embodiment;

FIG. 23 is a diagram of a keyword setting screen;

FIG. 24 is a diagram of a state of a keyword setting screen when abutton of a sub-dictionary is selected;

FIG. 25 is a diagram of a state of the keyword setting screen forexplaining registration of a keyword with drag and drop;

FIG. 26 is a diagram of a state of the keyword setting screen after thekeyword is registered;

FIG. 27 is a diagram of an example of a keyword table of a maindictionary to which keywords are registered as retrieve keys;

FIG. 28 is a diagram of an example of a keyword table registered in eachsub-dictionary;

FIG. 29 is a diagram of a data structure in the hard disk drive;

FIG. 30 is a flowchart of a main routine of the controller;

FIG. 31 is a flowchart of register/delete processing of keywords for amain dictionary;

FIG. 32 is a flowchart of register/delete processing of keywords to asub-dictionary;

FIG. 33 is a flowchart of keyword setting processing;

FIG. 34 is a diagram of an example of retrieve key setting screen in amodified embodiment;

FIG. 35A is a diagram of an example of a table of a first maindictionary to which keywords are registered as retrieve keys, and

FIG. 35B is a diagram of an example of a table of a second maindictionary to which icons are registered as retrieve keys;

FIG. 36 is a diagram of an example of a table registered in eachsub-dictionary; and

FIG. 37 is a diagram of an outline of a data structure in the hard diskdrive when the first and second main dictionaries are used.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference charactersdesignate like or corresponding parts throughout the views, embodimentsof this invention are explained.

First Embodiment

FIG. 1 shows an information processor (herein after referred to assystem) of a first embodiment of the invention.

The system has a database management system for image data. using agraphical user interface. In this system, retrieve is keys are added asattribute data to image data or objects, and an image data can beretrieved by using the retrieve keys. Keywords, colors, forms and thelike which represent characteristics of image are used as retrieve keys.

The system has a controller or a computer 1 having a central processingunit (CPU) for controlling the entire system. The information processoris connected through cables to various components 2-11. A display device2 such as a cathode-ray tube (CRT) displays images and/or characters andvarious pictures for operation. A keyboard 3 and a mouse 4 are used toinput various data and instructions. A flexible disk drive 5 b writesand reads data to and from a flexible disk 5 a as a medium for recordingdata. A hard disk drive 6 stores and manages input image data andretrieve keys therefor. A printer 7 prints an image or the like. Ascanner 8 reads an image data from a sheet of document and sends it tothe controller 1. A CD-ROM drive 9 b reads data from a CD-ROM 9 a as amedium for storing data. A speaker 10 gives an audio output, and amicrophone 11 receives an audio input. Arrows in FIG. 1 shows directionsof data flow in this system. These components may be combined with thecontroller 1 in an integrated unit.

FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of the information processor. Thecontroller 1 has a central processing unit (CPU) 101 such as Inteli80486DX. The CPU 101 receives clock signals from a clock circuit 102.The CPU 101 is connected through a bus 120 to a read only memory (ROM)103 for storing a program according to this embodiment for copyingattribute data and the like, and a random access memory (RAM) 104 forstoring various data. Further, the CPU 101 is connected to a CRTcontroller 105 which displays an image or characters in the displaydevice 2, a keyboard controller 106 which transmits key-input signalsfrom the keyboard 3, a mouse controller 107 which transmits inputsignals from the mouse 4, a flexible disk controller 108 which controlsthe flexible disk drive 5 b, a hard disk controller 109 which controlsthe hard disk drive 6, a printer controller 110 which controls theprinter 7, a scanner controller 111 which controls the scanner 8, aCD-ROM controller 112 which controls the CD-ROM drive 9 b, a speakercontroller 113 which controls audio output signals to the speaker 10 anda microphone controller 114 which controls the microphone 11. Further,the CPU 101 is connected to extension slots 115. The flexible disk drive5 b, the hard disk drive 6, the scanner 8, the CD-ROM drive 9 b and thelike may also be connected through a SCSI board connected to the slot115.

In the system explained above, the flexible disk !5 a and the hard diskdrive 6 are used as media for storing data. However, another type ofmedia such as magneto-optic disk may also be used. Image data are inputwith the scanner 8 or the CD-ROM drive 9 b. However, a still videocamera, a digital camera or the like may also be used. The printer 7 isused as an output apparatus, but a digital copying machine or the likemay also be used.

The program is stored in the ROM 103 in this system. However, in adifferent example, a part or all of the program for the system is storedin the flexible disk or the hard disk, and when the program is executed,it may be transmitted to the RAM 104.

In this system, image data are stored and managed in the hard disk drive6. However, image data stored in the CD-ROM 9 a may also be manageddirectly. In this example, attribute information is added to index datawhich represent the image data stored in the CD-ROM 9 a and they arestored in the hard disk drive 6. Attribute information is a secondaryinformation, added to an object as a subject to be managed, such as aretrieve key (keyword, color, form and the like), and creator, date ofcreation, size, comment or icon of the object. A set of the index dataand the attribute information is called as a record. When an image datais retrieved, a record is extracted first, and the image data are readfrom the CD-ROM 9 a based on the index data in the record.

In this system, image data are objects to be dealt with. An object is anelectronic information which is a subject to be stored and managed bythe information processor. An object to be managed in this system may bestill image data, moving picture data, character data, audio data ormulti-media data as a combination thereof. In addition, a folder whichcontains these data together can also be dealt as an object, or when anetwork is constructed, each computer itself can be dealt as an object.

Next, the control of the CPU 101 in the controller 1 is explained. TheCPU 101 is operated based on the program stored in the ROM 103. Forexample, it retrieves image data with use of retrieve keys, copies allthe retrieve keys added to the image data to the RAM 104 by issuing acommand to the image data, and adds retrieve keys in the RAM 104 toother image data. The retrieve processing is briefly explained first,and the copy processing of attribute information is explained next.

FIG. 3 shows an initial setting screen displayed in the display device2. The initial setting screen has three windows 22, 24 and 26. Thewindow 22 displays a list of icons (G1-G12 in this example) of all theimage data to which retrieve keys have already been added as attributeinformation, while the window 26 displays a list of icons (H1-H4 in thisexample) of all the image data to which retrieve keys have not yet beenadded, among the image data stored in hard disk drive 6. Data such askeywords, colors and forms which represent characteristics of the imageare added as retrieve keys to each image data in the list. In the window24, a menu for selecting the type of processings to be executed isdisplayed. When a user selects one or more retrieve keys and instructsto start retrieve, image data having at least one of the retrieve keysas attribute data are retrieved in the image data stored in the harddisk drive 6, and only the retrieved data are shown as the list in thewindow 22.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a main routine of the program executed by theCPU 101. When the electric power of the system is supplied, variablesand the like used for the processing are initialized, and the initialsetting screen is displayed in the display device 2 (step S1). Then, theflow branches when an event happens such as menu selection ordrag-and-drop (step S2). In the initial setting screen shown in FIG. 3,a menu is displayed in the window 24. When “copy attribute information”25 is selected in the window 24 or a command therefor is issued, thedata of attribute information of the image data 23 selected in thewindow 22 (i.e., G6) are copied and stored in the RAM 104 temporarily(step S3). When “add attribute information” 28 is selected in the window24 or a command therefor is issued, the data of attribute informationstored in the RAM 104 are added to image data 27 (i.e., H3) selected inthe window 26 (step S4). When another menu item in the window 24 isselected or a command therefor is issued, the processing therefor isperformed (step S5). When drag-and-drop from an icon of the image datain the window 22 to an icon in the window 26 happens by operating themouse 4, drag-and-drop processing is executed (step S6). Then, afterthese processing, other processing is performed (step S7), and the flowreturns to step S2. The flow proceeds readily to step S7 when no eventis decided to happen at step S2. The processings executed at steps S5and S7 are not explained further because they are well known and notrelated directly to the database management system of this embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of the copy attribute information processing (stepS3 in FIG. 4). If it is decided that an icon (say G6) have been selectedin the list shown in the window 22 with the keyboard 3 or the mouse 4(YES at step S31), all the attribute information data added to theselected image data, or retrieve keys in this example, are extracted andstored in the RAM 104 (step S32). Then, the flow returns to the mainroutine. If no image data in the window 22 is selected (NO at step S31),the flow returns readily to the main routine.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of the add attribute information processing (stepS4 in FIG. 4). If it is decided that an image data (say H3) have beenselected in the list shown in the window 26 with the keyboard 3 or themouse 4 (YES at step S41), it is next decided if attribute informationdata, that is, retrieve keys in this example, are stored in the RAM 104(step S42). If it is decided that attribute information data are storedin the RAM 104 (YES at step S42), the data of the attribute informationstored in the RAM 104 are added to the selected image data (step S43).If no image data is selected (NO at step S41), the flow returns readilyto the main routine. If it is decided that the attribute informationdata is not stored in the RAM 104 (NO at step S42), or after the data ofthe attribute information stored in the RAM 104 is added to the imagedata selected (step S43), attribute data may be input manually one byone for adding or deleting a retrieve key (step S44). Then, the flowreturns to the main routine.

In a modified example, when an image data having already attributeinformation added thereto is selected as an object to which attributeinformation is copied, the attribute information stored in the RAM 104may be added to the attribute information which has already been added,or the attribute information which has already been added may be updatedwith the attribute information stored in the RAM 104.

FIG. 7 shows an outline of a data structure in the hard disk drive 6.There are provided a storage area 60 for. storing registered image dataH1, H2, H3, . . . , and a storage area 61 for storing attributeinformation data of retrieve keys h1-1, h1-2, . . . added to each of theimage data. For example, in the setting screen shown in FIG. 3, let usassume a case where the image data G6 is selected in the window 22,“copy attribute information” 25 is selected in the menu in the window24, the image data H3 is selected in the window 26, cad “add attributeinformation” 28 is selected in the window 24 successively. In this case,the attribute information such as keywords g6-1, g6-2, . . . for theimage data G6 are stored temporarily in the RAM 104 and then written tothe storage area 61 in correspondence to the image data H3 in the harddisk drive 6.

As explained above, the menu items 25 and 28 (FIG. 3) are selected withthe keyboard 3 or the mouse 4. However, in a different way, the drag anddrop operation is performed for the same purpose by drag and drop of anicon of the image data displayed in the screen.

FIGS. 8A-8C are diagrams of an example where the copy of attributeinformation is executed by drag and drop from a first image to a secondimage. In FIG. 8A, the first image is selected in the screen by a user,as shown with hatching, by moving the mouse pointer to the icon 29 ofthe first image data and clicking the mouse button by operating themouse 4. FIG. 8B shows that the icon 29′ of the selected first imagedata is dragged to the second image (or the selected icon is moved byoperating the mouse while pressing the mouse button). When the icon 29′of the first image data is overlapped on an icon 30 of the second imagedata, as shown in FIG. 8C, the second image data is selected, as shownwith hatching. Then, by releasing the mouse button in this position, theicon of the first image is dropped on that of the second one.

In the processing of the main routine shown in FIG. 4, when an event ofdrag and drop happens (step S6 in FIG. 4), the CPU 101 executes drag anddrop processing shown in FIG. 9. A drag and drop is detected at a timingwhen the icon is dropped. When a drag and drop is detected and the dragand drop processing routine is called, the copy attribute informationprocessing is performed (step S61) which is the same as the processingof step S3 in FIG. 4 and the add attribute information processing isperformed next (step S62) which is same as the processing of step S4 inFIG. 4. Duplicated explanation of steps S61 and S62 is omitted here.Thus, the copy attribute information command and the add attributeinformation command are issued at the same time, so that the attributeinformation of the first image data is written to the RAM 104 and theattribute information written to the RAM 104 is added to the secondimage data. In a different example, when the icon of the first imagedata is dropped on the icon of the second image data, it can be selectedwhether the attribute information is copied or not. Further, the dragand drop operation is not limited to an icon of image data. For example,it may be performed on a character or word representing an image data,an image data itself or a part thereof, a reduced image data, or thelike.

In this embodiment, all of the attribute information on the selectedimage data are stored in the RAM 104 when the attribute information iscopied. However, it is possible to select and store a part thereof.

In a modified embodiment, a document file with comments added asattribute information is dealt as an object, similarly to the image dataexplained above. In this case, an icon of a document file is selected,and it is dragged and dropped to an icon of another document file. Then,the comment of the same content is added to the another document file.As a result, a time can be saved to add the same comment repeatedly toother document files. The document file as a target for copyingoperation can be an image data file or a different kind of file.

Moreover, in a different modified embodiment, the system is a server ina server and client network. In this system, an icon of a clientdisplayed in the display device 2 is selected as a target, and the iconof the client is drag-and-dropped to an icon of another client. Thus, auser ID for access, file types accessible by the user, and the like arecopied as attribute information. As a result, when a new client isconnected to the network, it is not needed for the new client to inputmany items, and the content about another client can be used forcorrecting only a part thereof based on the content. Thus, a time of thenew user of the server can be reduced.

In the above-mentioned information processor, an object is selected anda command is issued to copy the attribute information. Then, attributeinformation added to the selected object is copied to a storage medium.It is preferable to add the attribute information in the storage mediumto other object selected to be added the attribute information byissuing a command to add attribute information.

As mentioned above, when the same attribute information as that of anobject is added to other objects, this can be achieved by a simpleoperation to select the object and to issue a command. This isespecially advantageous in a database management system which controls alarge amount of data (objects) when the same attribute information isadded as a retrieve key to each of these data.

Second Embodiment

Next, an information processor of a second embodiment of the inventionis explained. The information processor also has a database managementsystem for image data using a graphical user interface, and it consistsof the components shown in FIG. 1. A controller which controls theinformation processor has a structure similar to that as shown in FIG.2. is However, the ROM 103 stores a program for executing the databasemanagement system of the second embodiment including processing onattribute information explained below. In this system, keywords whichrepresent characteristics of an object are used as retrieve keys, andthey are added to objects or image data. The hard disk drive 6 storesand manages a dictionary storing all the keywords, input image data andattribute information thereof.

In this system, image data are objects to be dealt with. However,similarly to the first embodiment, an object to be managed in thissystem may be still image data, moving picture data, character data,audio data or multi-media data as a combination thereof. In addition, afolder which contains these data together can also be dealt as anobject, or when a network is constructed, each computer itself can bedealt as an object.

FIG. 10 shows an initial setting screen displayed in the display device2. Windows 220-223 are displayed in the display device 2. The window 220shows a box 224 where the keyword registered in a keyword dictionary islisted. The window 221 shows a list of image data G1, G2, G3 and thelike registered in the image database. The window 222 shows keywordsadded to the selected image data in four list boxes, as will beexplained in detail later. The window 223 shows a menu for selection andcommand to be executed. The initial menu screen includes “add keyword”225 for adding a keyword to the image data, “register keyword” 226 forregistering a new keyword to a keyword dictionary and “register data”227 for registering a new image data in the hard disk drive 6. The menuscreen shows various menus beside the initial menu screen according asthe processing to be executed is changed.

FIG. 11 shows an outline of a data structure in the hard disk drive 6.The data structure has an area 260 for storing image data G1, G2, G3 andthe like registered in the image database and an area 261 for storingkeywords added to each of the image data. When a keyword is appended tothe image data, a data corresponding to the appended keyword is writtento the area 261 corresponding to the image data. This system can addfour keywords at the maximum to one image data, as shown in the window222.

Next, the control of the CPU 101 in the controller 1 is explained. FIG.12 is a flowchart of a main routine of the control processing executedby the CPU 101. First, when the power supply of the system is suppliedand the program is activated, the initialization is performed such asdisplay of the initial screen (refer to FIG. 10) in the display device 2and initialization of variables for each processing (step S101). Next,it is decided whether the menu is selected or not (step S102). When “addkeyword” 225 is selected in the menu, the add keyword processing foradding a keyword to an image data is executed (step S103). When“register keyword” 26 is selected in the menu, a new keyword isregistered in the keyword dictionary (step S104). When “register data”27 is selected in the menu, a new image data is registered in the harddisk drive 6 (step S105). When another menu item is selected in themenu, processing for the selected menu item such as data retrieve withuse of the keywords is executed (step S106). Then, the flow proceeds tostep S107. When any menu is not selected, the flow proceeds readily tostep S107 for other processing. The keyword registration (step S104),the data registration (step S105), the other menu processing (stepS106), and the other processing (step S107) are not explained furtherbecause they are basically similar to the counterparts in a prior artinformation processor and are not related directly to the presentinvention.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart of the add keyword (step S103 in FIG. 12). First,keywords added already to the selected image data are displayed (stepS131, refer to FIG. 14), and a keyword or keywords are added or changedfor the selected image data (step S132, refer to FIG. 17). Theprocessings at steps S131 and S132 are explained in detail below.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart of the keyword display (step S131 in FIG. 13).First, an image data to which a keyword is desired to be added isselected in the image data shown in the window 221 (step S1311). If itis decided that a plurality of image data are selected (YES at stepS1312), a keyword is extracted in the keywords on the image data havingthe largest number of keywords (step S1313). If the extracted keywordhas already been added to all the selected image data (YES at stepS1314), the keywords are displayed in the order of the keyword list fromupside to downside in the window 222 (step S1315). On the other hand, ifat least one of the selected image data does not have the extractedkeyword (NO at step S1314), the keyword is displayed in an empty spacein the window 222 with masking. The masking is performed to discriminatethe keywords common to all the selected image data from the others. Adifferent display technique such as reverse display or shaded displaymay be adopted instead of masking. If the above-mentioned stepsS1313-S1316 have not yet been completed for all the keywords (YES atstep S1317), the flow returns to step S1313. Thus, the steps S1313-S1317are repeated for all the keywords on the image data having the largestnumber of keywords. Thus, the all keywords are shown in the keywordlist. If it is decided that a plurality of image data are not selected,i.e., one image data is selected (NO at step S1312), the keywords addedto the selected image data are shown in the window 222 from upside todownside in the order of addition.

FIG. 15 shows an example of the keyword list when a plurality of imagedata are selected. It is assumed that three keywords of “brilliant”,“stable” and “gentle” have already been added to an image data havingthe largest number of keywords among the selected image data. Among thethree keywords, the two, “brilliant” and “stable”, are common to all theselected image data. Then, they are shown in the window 222 in the orderof the list of the keyword sequentially. On the other hand, the keyword“gentle” is not added to at least one of the other selected image data,so that it is shown at the last with masking in the window 222. That is,the keywords common to all of the selected image data are shown in anormal state, while the others are shown with masking.

Because the number of keywords which can be added to one image data isequal to or smaller than four in this system, it is understood from thekeyword list shown in FIG. 15 that one keyword can be appended to theplurality of the selected image data surely as a common keyword.Moreover, it is also understood that the number of keywords which can beadded as common keywords can be known from the number of the keywordsunder masking. Keywords under masking can be appended as common keywordswhen all the other image data hits two or less keywords or when a partof the other image data has three keywords which are common to thelisted three keywords.

FIG. 16 shows an example of keyword list which is generated after oneimage data is selected in the above-mentioned keyword displayprocessing. Three keywords of “brilliant”, “stable” and “gentle” areadded to the selected image data, and the keywords are displayed in theorder of the addition of the keywords.

FIG. 17 is a flowchart of the keyword update (step. S132 in FIG. 13)wherein a new keyword is added to the image data selected in theabove-mentioned keyword display processing (step S131 in FIG. 13).First, keywords registered in a keyword dictionary are shown as a listin the window 220 (refer to FIG. 10) (step S1321). Then, a keyword to beadded to the image data is selected by a user by operating a mousepointer with the mouse 4 (step S1322). A plurality of keywords can beselected at the same time by clicking the plurality of keywords whilepressing a specified key in the keyboard 3. Then, the selected keywordor keywords are dragged to the window 222 where the keywords which arealready been added to the selected image data are listed (step S1323).Then, if the number of the selected keywords is over one (YES at stepS1324), the whole area of the keyword list is enabled for setting, and acontour line 240 enclosing the area is high-lighted (step S1325), asshown in an example in FIG. 18. If a plurality of keywords are dragged,a mouse. pointer 241 is displayed in a state with stacked icons. It ispossible to display the number of selected keywords besides the mousepointer 241.

On the other hand, if the number of the selected keywords is one (NO atstep S1324), only the list box 242 which represents a keyword pointed bythe mouse pointer 241 is enabled for setting and high-lighted (stepS1326), as shown in an example in FIG. 19. When one keyword is dragged,as shown in FIG. 19, a mouse pointer 241 is displayed with one icon.

When the keyword which has to be added is dropped in the high-lightedarea (YES at step S1327), the keyword is added or changed (step S1328,refer to FIG. 20).

In the above-mentioned steps S1325 and S1326, any keyword can beaccepted without considering whether it can be added to the image dataor not. However, it is possible to reject a keyword when the keywordcannot be added to the image data. The criterion whether the selectedkeyword can be added or not is explained later with reference to stepsS13283 and S13286 (FIG. 20) for adding or changing keywords.

FIG. 20 is a flowchart of adding or changing keywords (step S1328 inFIG. 17). First, it is decided whether a keyword is added or not (stepS13281). If a keyword is not added (NO at step S13281), this meanscomplete replacement of keyword. This selection may be performed in themenu screen in the window 223, with a click of a button or the like.

If it is decided that add is selected (YES at step S13281), an imagedata is extracted in the image data selected in FIG. 14 (step S13282).Next, it is decided whether the selected keyword at step S1322 (FIG. 17)can be added to the extracted image data or not (step S13283). It isdecided here that the selected keyword can be added if the number of theselected keywords is equal to or less than the difference between thelargest number of keywords to be added to an image data (four in thisexample) and, the number of the keyword which have already been added tothe image data. In this decision, if the selected keywords includes akeyword which have already been added to the image data, the keyword isneglected in the calculation. If it is decided that the keyword cannotbe added (NO at step S13283), the flow returns readily to the flow ofFIG. 17. On the other hand, if it is decided that the keyword can beadded (YES at step S132831, the flow proceeds to step S13284 in order toconfirm whether the decision of all the image data is completed or not.If the decision is completed on all the image data (YES at step S13284),or if the selected keywords can be appended to all the image data, theselected keywords are added to each image data at the same time (stepS13285). That is, the data of the selected keywords are stored in thearea 61 (FIG. 7) for each image data in the hard disk drive 6.

On the other hand, if it is decided that a keyword is not added (NO atstep S13281) or if change of keyword is selected, all the keywords arecompletely replaced. Then, it is decided whether the keywords selectedat step S1322 can be added to the image data or not (step S13286). It isdecided here that the selected keywords can be added if the number ofthe selected keywords is equal to or less than the largest number ofkeywords to be added to an image data (four in this example). If it isdecided that the selected keywords cannot be added (NO at step S13286),the flow returns readily to the flow of FIG. 17. On the other hand, ifit is decided that the selected keywords can be added (YES at stepS13286), all the keywords which have already been added to the selectedimage data are deleted (step S13287), and the selected keywords areadded to each image data at the same time (step S13288).

FIG. 21 shows a keyword list after two keywords “gentle” and “romantic”are newly appended to the image data to which three keywords of“brilliant”, “stable” and “gentle” have been added. In this example,because the number of keywords which can be added to one image data isfour, two keywords cannot be added to the image data to which threekeywords have already been added. However, the keyword of “gentle” isnot counted as an appended keyword because it is. the same keyword whichhas already been added to the image data. As a result, one keyword of“romantic” is decided to be able to be appended to the image data (YESat step S13283 in FIG. 20), and the keyword is appended.

Because the same keyword (retrieve key) can be added to a plurality ofimage data at the same time, the load to add keywords of a user isgreatly reduced in this embodiment as explained above.

Moreover, because information on the keywords which have already beenadded to the image data is displayed in the display device 2 in thissystem when a plurality of image data are selected to which commonkeywords are added, a user can confirm the number of keywords which canbe newly appended in one glance.

In this embodiment, a keyword is used as a retrieve key. However, otherattribute information such as a color or a form which represents acharacteristic of the image may also be used as a retrieve key.

In addition, though this embodiment is explained on a databasemanagement system, the invention can be applied widely to an apparatusor a program which adds attribute information to electronic information(objects) and controls them therewith.

As explained above, in the information processor of this embodiment,because the same attribute information can be added to two or moreobjects at the same time, the load of adding attribute information isgreatly reduced.

Third Embodiment

Next, an information processor of a third embodiment of the invention isexplained. The information processor also has a database managementsystem for image data using a graphical user interface, and it consistsof the components shown in FIG. 1. A controller which controls theinformation processor has a structure similar to that as shown in FIG.2. However, the ROM 103 stores a program for executing the databasemanagement system of the third embodiment including processing onattribute information with dictionaries explained below. In this system,keywords which represent characteristics of an object are used asretrieve keys and they are added to objects or image data. However,colors, forms and the like which represent characteristic of an objectcan also be used. The hard disk drive 6 stores and manages a maindictionary storing all the keywords, sub-dictionaries storing a part ofthe keywords in the main dictionary, a keyword table, image data andattribute information thereof.

In this system, image data are objects to be dealt with. However,similarly to the first and second embodiments, an object to be managedin this system may be still image data, moving picture data, characterdata, audio data or multi-media data as a combination thereof. Inaddition, a folder which contains these data together can also be dealtas an object, or when a network is constructed, each computer itself canbe dealt as an object.

This system has a function to provide a sub-dictionary which collectskeywords selected from a main dictionary in which many keywords areregistered as retrieve keys. By using this sub-dictionary, keywordsdesired by a user can be selected from a smaller number of specifiedkeywords than those registered in the main dictionary.

Moreover, this system has a function of entire selection to select allthe keywords registered in the sub-dictionary at the same time. In thissystem, a link relation is set between keywords registered in the maindictionary and those registered in a sub-dictionary. That is, thekeywords registered in a sub-dictionary are not the keywords themselves,but data to identify the keywords registered in the main dictionary.That is, the keywords registered in the sub-dictionary have nosubstance. Therefore, even if a keyword registered in the sub-dictionaryis deleted, the corresponding keyword registered in the main dictionaryis not deleted, while if a keyword registered in the main dictionary isdeleted, the keyword is also deleted from the sub-dictionary.

Next, the processing executed by the CPU 101 is explained for realizingthe above-mentioned functions. FIG. 22 shows a screen displayed in thedisplay device 2 Two windows 321 and 322 are displayed in the screen.The window 321 is a keyword setting screen as a dialogue box, and it isexplained later in detail. The window 322 shows a menu screen forselecting or instructing a processing. As to the main dictionary, menuitems of “register” 323 and “delete” 324 are displayed to register akeyword to the main dictionary and to delete a keyword therefrom. As tothe sub-dictionary, menu items of “register” 325 and “delete” 326 aredisplayed to register a keyword to the sub-dictionary and to delete akeyword therefrom. A menu item of “set” 327 is provided to set thekeyword used for the data retrieve. In addition, for data retrieve, menuitems of “register” 328 and “retrieve” 329 are displayed to add akeyword set in the keyword setting screen to a new image data and toretrieve the data with the keyword set in the keyword setting screen.Though not shown explicitly in the menu screen, menus for preparing anew sub-dictionary and for changing the name of a sub-dictionary arealso displayed.

FIG. 23 shows the keyword setting screen displayed in the window 321. Asshown in FIG. 23, keyword list boxes 340-344 including the keywordsregistered in each dictionary are provided in the keyword settingscreen. The mouse 4 can select a keyword in a list box. Moreover, themouse 4 can select two or more keywords at the same time by clickingthose keywords while pushing a specified key in the keyboard 3. A scrollbar is provided as shown in the list box 340 when the number of keywordsto be displayed is larger than the number of keywords which can bedisplayed in the list box at the same time, and the keywords arescrolled in the list box. All the keywords registered in the maindictionary are displayed in the keyword list box 340.

The keywords registered in a sub-dictionary of dictionary named“keywords used often by Yamada” (button 340) are displayed in a keywordlist box 341. A symbol “*” is added to the top of a keyword which isregistered in the main dictionary in order to indicate a link relationto the keywords in the main dictionary. Similarly, keywords registeredin each sub-dictionaries of dictionary name “keywords used often byYamamoto” (button 346), “sea” (button 347) and “mountain” (button 348)are displayed in the keyword list boxes 342-344. For example, keywordswhich a user Yamada uses often are registered in the sub-dictionary ofdictionary name “keywords used often by Yamada”. Keywords which remindsof sea are registered in the sub-dictionary of dictionary name “sea”. Inthe example shown in FIG. 23, nothing is displayed in the keyword listbox 342 and 344 because no keywords are set in the sub-dictionaries ofdictionary name “keywords used often by Yamamoto” and “mountain”. It isalso possible not to show the keyword boxes including no keyword. Thebuttons 345-348 with the names of the sub-dictionaries are displayed inthe screen for the selection with the mouse 4. When one of the buttonsis selected by the mouse 4, all the keywords registered in the selectedsub-dictionary are selected. A button 349 of “set” is provided to set akeyword selected by the mouse 4 as a keyword for data retrieve or thelike. A keyword registered in the main dictionary is registered to asub-dictionary after the mouse 4 selects a keyword displayed in thekeyword list box 340 and clicks either of the buttons 345-348 of thenames of the sub-dictionaries. It is also possible to drag the selectedkeyword and drop it in a keyword list box of a sub-dictionary to beregistered with the mouse 4.

FIG. 24 shows a state of the keyword setting screen when the button 347of the sub-dictionary of dictionary name “sea” is selected by the mouse4. When the button 347 is selected, all the keywords of “blue” and“refreshing” in the list box 343 are selected at the same time. In thisexample, the selected button and keywords are displayed with shade.

FIG. 25 illustrates registration of keyword “active” registered in themain dictionary to the sub-dictionary of dictionary name “keywords usedoften by Yamada” with drag and drop. First, the mouse 4 selects thekeyword “active” in the keyword list box 340 as shown with shade (a).The keyword selected is dragged to the keyword list box 341 as shownwith a hatched line (b). Then, as shown with a symbol (c), the keywordis dropped in the keyword list box 341. As a result, the keyword“active” is registered in the sub-dictionary of dictionary name“keywords used often by Yamada”. Then, as shown in FIG. 26, the keywordsetting screen displays the keyword “active” registered in thesub-dictionary of dictionary name “keywords used often by Yamada” in thelist box 341.

FIG. 27 shows an example of a keyword table of the main dictionary towhich keywords are registered. A data of each keyword is registered withassociation with an index number. For example, the keyword “bright” isassociated with index number 0001. When the keyword in the maindictionary selected by the mouse 4 is registered to a sub-dictionary,the index number corresponding to the selected keyword is registered inthe sub-dictionary.

FIG. 28 shows an example of a keyword table registered in thesub-dictionaries. Each sub-dictionary registers index numbers of thekeywords associated with the keyword table of the main dictionary. Thekeywords corresponding to the index number registered in thissub-dictionaries are displayed in the keyword list boxes 341-344 withreference to the main dictionary.

FIG. 29 shows a data structure in the hard disk drive 6 schematically.Two areas 360 and 361 are provided in the hard disk drive 6. The area360 stores registered image data G1, G2, ., and the area 361 storesindex numbers 0002, 0010, 0022; 0001, 0005; . . . corresponding to thekeyword added to the image data. When a keyword is added to the imagedata, the index number of the added keyword is written to the area 361corresponding to the image data.

FIG. 30 is a flowchart of a main routine of the control processingperformed by the CPU 101. When the program, stored in the ROM 103 isstarted, variables necessary for the processing are initialized and thewindow 322 as a menu selection screen is displayed as an initial screenin the display device 2 (step S201). Both windows 321 and 322 may. bedisplayed from the beginning in the initial screen. Next, it is decidedwhether a menu in the window 322 is selected (step S202). Here, whenmenu 323 of “register” or menu 324 of “delete” on the main dictionary isselected, register/delete processing of the keyword to and from the maindictionary is executed (step S203). When menu 325 of “register” or menu326 of “delete” is selected on sub-dictionaries, register/delete ofkeyword to and from the sub-dictionary is executed (step S204). Whenmenu 327 of “set” is selected on keywords, the set keyword processing isperformed for setting keywords for data register or data retrieve (stepS205). When the menu 328 of “register” on data is selected, the dataregister processing is performed for adding keywords set in the setkeyword processing to the image data (step S206) Moreover, when menu 329of “retrieve” on data is selected, the data retrieve processing isperformed to retrieve an image data to which the keyword set by thekeyword set processing. is added in the image database composed of alarge amount of image data stored in the hard disk drive 6 (step S207).When other menu items are selected, other items processings such ascreation of a new sub-dictionary are executed (step S208). When the menuis not selected, other processings are executed readily (step S209). Thedata register processing (step S206), the data retrieve processing (stepS207), other items processings (step S208), and other processings (stepS209) are basically similar to the counterparts in a prior artinformation processor and not relate directly to the present invention,and detailed explanation thereof is omitted.

FIG. 31 is a flowchart of register/delete processing (step S203 in FIG.30), where keywords are added to or deleted from the main dictionary. Inthis flow, when a keyword is deleted, the keyword is also deleted fromthe sub-dictionary to which the deleted keyword is registered. First,the windows 321 and 322 shown in FIGS. 22 and 23 are displayed (stepS231). When menu 324 of “delete” is selected (YES at step S232), akeyword to be deleted is selected in the keywords of the main dictionaryin the keyword list box 340 (step S233), and the selected keyword andthe index number thereof are deleted from the main dictionary (stepS234) Next, a sub-dictionary which registers the index number of theselected keyword is detected (step S235). If the sub-dictionary whichregisters the index number is detected (YES at step S236), the indexnumber is deleted from the sub-dictionary (step S237).

On the other hand, when menu 324 of “delete” is not selected (NO at stepS232), or when menu 323 of “register” is selected, other keywordprocessing such as registration of the new keyword is performed (stepS238). After the processing of step S237 or S238, the keyword settingscreen is updated (step 5239), and the flow returns to the main routine.

FIG. 32 is a flowchart of register/delete processing (step S204 in FIG.30), where keywords are added to or deletes from the sub-dictionaries.The keyword is deleted only in the sub-dictionaries to which theselected keyword is registered. First, the windows 321 and 322 shown inFIGS. 22 and 23 are displayed (step S241). When menu 325 of “register”is selected (YES at step S242), a keyword to be registered is selectedin the keywords of the main dictionary in the keyword. list box 340(step S243), and the index number thereof is registered to asub-dictionary by clicking a button of the sub-dictionary to which thekeyword is registered or by performing drag and drop of the selectedkeyword to the keyword list box of the sub-dictionary (step S244). Thus,a link relation is formed by registering the same index number in themain dictionary. On the other hand, when menu 326 of “delete” isselected (YES at step S245), a keyword to be deleted is selected in thekeywords of the sub-dictionaries in the keyword list box 341-344 (stepS246), and the index number thereof is deleted from the sub-dictionary(step S247). When other menus are selected (NO at step S245), otherregister processing such as change of sub-dictionary name is performed(step S248). After the processing of step S244, S247 or S248, thekeyword setting screen is updated (step S249), and the flow returns tothe main routine.

FIG. 33 is a flowchart of the set keyword processing (step S205 in FIG.30), wherein a keyword for adding the keyword to the image data or forretrieving a desired image data in the image database is set and storedin the RAM 104. First, the keyword setting screen is displayed to makeit possible to select a keyword in the keyword list boxes 340-344 orbuttons 345-348 of the sub-dictionaries (step S251). When a keyword inthe keyword list boxes 341-344 of the sub-dictionaries is selected andthe button 349 of “set” is clicked (YES at step S252, YES at step S253),the selected keywords are set as keywords to be used (step S254). Whenone of buttons 345-348 of the sub-dictionaries is selected and thebutton 349 of “set” is clicked (YES at step S252, NO at step S253), allthe keywords for the selected sub-dictionary are set as keywords to beused (step S255). When a keyword in the keyword list box 340 of the maindictionary is selected and the button 349 of “set” is clicked (NO atstep S252), the selected keyword is set as a keyword to be used (stepS256). After the processing of step S254, S255 or S256, the keywordsetting screen is updated (step S257), and the flow returns to the mainroutine.

In this embodiment, only keywords are used as retrieve keys. However,colors and forms which represent characteristics of an image can also beused as retrieve keys besides the keywords. In this case, it isdesirable to provide a plurality of main dictionaries in correspondenceto the types of retrieve keys. A dictionary number as a discriminationnumber is assigned to each main dictionary. In each sub-dictionary,dictionary number of the main dictionary and index number are registeredfor each retrieve key.

Next, a modified embodiment using two main dictionaries is explainedwith reference to link structure. Keywords are registered as retrievekeys in the first main dictionary, while icons are registered asretrieve keys in the second main dictionary.

FIG. 34 shows an example of a retrieve key setting screen displayed inthe window 321 instead of the keyword setting screen shown in FIG. 23when the first and the second main dictionaries are used. List boxes440-443 are displayed in the retrieve key setting screen where theretrieve keys (keywords and icons) are registered for each dictionary.The list box 440 shows keywords registered in the first main dictionary,while the list box 441 shows icons registered in the second maindictionary. The list boxes 442 and 443 show keywords and iconsregistered in the sub-dictionaries of “retrieve keys used often byYamada” and “sea”. The buttons 447 and 448 displaying the registrationnames of the sub-dictionaries can be selected with the mouse 4. When oneof the buttons 447 and 448 is selected, all the retrieve keys registeredin the sub-dictionary of the selected button are selected. The button449 of “set” is used for adding a keyword or an icon selected by themouse 4 to the image data or for setting the keyword or the icon asretrieve key used for retrieving desired image data in the imagedatabase.

FIG. 35A shows a table of keywords of the first main dictionary similarto that shown in FIG. 27, while FIG. 3511 shows a table of icons of thesecond main dictionary. The data of each icon is registered incorrespondence to the index number. The first main dictionary hasdictionary number of one, while the second one has dictionary number oftwo. When a keyword in the first main dictionary or an icon in thesecond main dictionary is registered in a sub-dictionary, the dictionarynumber and an index number of the keyword or icon are registered for thesub-dictionary.

FIG. 36 shows an example of a table of the sub-dictionaries. Thedictionary number and the index number of retrieve key are registeredfor each sub-dictionary. The keywords and the icons corresponding todictionary number and the index number registered in a sub-dictionaryare displayed in the list box for each sub-dictionary in the retrievekey setting screen by referring to the first and second maindictionaries.

FIG. 37 shows an example of a data structure in the hard disk drive 6schematically when the first and second main dictionaries are used. In afirst area 465 for storing data, data on image data G1, G2 and the likeare stored. In a second area 466 for storing index number for keywords,index numbers of 0002, 0010 and 0022 for the first image data, 0001 and0005 for the second image data and the like are stored. In a third area467 for storing index number for icons, index: numbers of 0011 and 0015for the first image data, 0002 and, 0003 for the second image data andthe like are stored. When image data are retrieved, if a keyword is setas a retrieve cl key, the index number in the area 466 is retrieved,while if an icon is set as a retrieve key, the index number in the area467 is retrieved.

Delete/register processing of a keyword or an icon registered in thefirst and second main dictionaries to and from the sub-dictionaries isthe same as the counterpart shown in FIG. 32 except that the dictionarynumber is deleted/registered besides the index number. The processing issimilar if the number of main dictionaries is increased further. Byusing a plurality of main dictionaries, the easiness of operation isimproved because the number of retrieve keys registered in each maindictionary decreases. Further, because a main dictionary is divided intodifferent kinds of retrieve key, it is convenient when only a specifiedtype of retrieve keys is used.

As explained above, in this embodiment, attribute information registeredin the main dictionary is classified into sub-dictionaries. Therefore,even if the number of attribute information registered in the maindictionary is large, a desired attribute information can be selectedeasily by extracting attribute information in the main dictionary fromthe relevant sub-dictionary.

Although the present invention has been fully described in connectionwith the preferred embodiments thereof with reference to theaccompanying drawings, it is to be noted that various changes andmodifications are apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes andmodifications are to be understood as included within the scope of thepresent invention as defined by the appended claims unless they departtherefrom.

What is claimed is:
 1. An information processor which stores and manages objects with attribute information added to the objects, the information processor comprising: a selection means for selecting a first object and a second object; a command issue means for directing a copying of attribute information of the first object, and for directing an addition of the thus copied attribute information to the second object; and a copy and addition means for extracting the attribute information of the first object and adding the thus extracted attribute information to the second object as directed by the command issue means.
 2. An information processor according to claim 1, wherein said copy and addition means temporarily stores the attribute information extracted from the first object in a storage medium and adds the attribute information thus stored in the storage medium to the second object.
 3. An information processor according to claim 1, further comprising a display means for displaying the objects or icons representing the objects in a screen, wherein said command issue means directs the copying and the addition according to a drag and drop in the screen from the first object or an icon representing the first object to the second object or an icon representing the second object.
 4. An information processor according to claim 1, further comprising retrieve means for retrieving a desired object in a plurality of objects by using the attribute information as retrieve keys.
 5. A method for adding attribute information to an object, the method comprising the steps of: (a) selecting a first object and a second object; (b) directing a copying of attribute information of the first object and an addition of the thus copied attribute information to the second object; and (c) extracting the attribute information of the first object and adding the thus extracted attribute information to the second object as directed in said step (b).
 6. A method according to claim 5, wherein said step (c) includes a step of storing the attribute information extracted from the first object in a storage medium temporarily and adding the attribute information thus stored in the storage medium to the second object.
 7. A computer program product stored in a recording medium executable by a computer for adding attribute information to an object, said computer program product comprising: a selection means for selecting a first object and a second object; a command issue means for directing a copying of attribute information of the first object, and for directing an addition of the thus copied attribute information to the second object; and a copy and addition means for extracting the attribute information of the first object and adding the thus extracted attribute information to the second object as directed by the command issue means.
 8. A computer program product according to claim 7, wherein said copy and addition means temporarily stores the attribute information extracted from the first object in a storage medium and adds the attribute information thus stored in the storage medium to the second object.
 9. A computer program product according to claim 7, further comprising a display means for displaying the objects or icons representing the objects in a screen, wherein said command issue means directs the copying and the addition according to a drag and drop in the screen from the first object or an icon representing the first object to the second object or an icon representing the second object.
 10. A computer program product according to claim 7, further comprising retrieve means for retrieving a desired object in a plurality of objects by using the attribute information as retrieve keys.
 11. An information processor which stores and manages objects with attribute information added to the objects, the information processor comprising: a storage means for storing an object and attribute information added to the object in a correspondence relation; a first selection means for selecting a plurality of objects; a second selection means for selecting attribute information; and an addition means for adding the attribute information selected by said second selection means to each of the objects selected by said first selection means at the same time and storing the attribute information in a relation to each of the objects in the storage medium.
 12. An information processor according to claim 11, wherein said storage means has an upper limit of the number of attribute information which can be stored in the correspondence relation to one object, said information processor further comprising a display means for displaying the number of attribute information which can be added to the selected objects when said first selection means selects the plurality of objects.
 13. An information processor according to claim 12, wherein said display means displays a list of the attribute information of an object having the largest number of added attribute information in the objects selected by said first selection means, wherein the added attribute information common to all the selected objects is displayed in a way different from that for the attribute information not common to all the selected objects.
 14. An information processor according to claim 11, wherein said second selection means can select a plurality of attribute information at the same time, and when said second selection means selects a plurality of attribute information, said addition means adds the plurality of attribute information to the plurality of objects selected by said first selection means at the same time and stores the plurality of attribute information in correspondence to each of the objects in the storage medium.
 15. A method for adding attribute information to an object, the method comprising the steps of: (a) providing a storage unit which stores an object and attribute information added to the object in a correspondence relation; (b) selecting a plurality of objects; (c) selecting attribute information; and (d) adding the attribute information selected at the step (c) to each of the objects selected at the step (by at the same time, and storing the attribute information in a relation to each of the objects in the storage unit.
 16. A method according to claim 15, wherein said storage unit has an upper limit of the number of attribute information which can be stored in the correspondence relation to one object, said method further comprising a step of displaying the number of attribute information which can be added to the selected objects when the plurality of objects are selected at the step (b).
 17. A method according to claim 16, wherein at the step of displaying, a list of the attribute information of an object having the largest number of added attribute information in the objects selected at the step (b) is displayed, wherein the added attribute information common to all the selected objects is displayed in a way different from that for the attribute information not common to all the selected objects.
 18. A method according to claim 15, wherein at the step (c) a plurality of attribute information is selected, and at the step (d) the plurality of attribute information selected at step (c) is added to the plurality of objects selected at step (b) at the same time and the plurality of attribute information is stored in the storage unit in correspondence to each of the objects.
 19. A computer program product stored in a recording medium executable by a computer for adding attribute information to an object, said computer program product comprising: a first selection means for selecting a plurality of objects; a second selection means for selecting attribute information; and an addition means for adding the attribute information selected by said second selection means to each of the objects selected by said first selection means at the same time and storing the attribute information in a relation to each of the objects in a storage unit.
 20. A computer program product according to claim 19, wherein said storage unit has an upper limit of the number of attribute information which can be stored in the correspondence relation to one object, said computer program product further comprising a display means for displaying the number of attribute information which can be added to the selected objects when said first selection means selecting the plurality of objects.
 21. A computer program product according to claim 20, wherein said display means displays a list of the attribute information of the object having the largest number of added attribute information in the objects selected by said first selection means, wherein the added attribute information common to all the selected objects is displayed in a way different from that for the attribute information not common to all the selected objects.
 22. A computer program product according to claim 19, wherein said second selection means can select a plurality of attribute information at the same time, and when said second selection means selects a plurality of attribute information, said addition means adds the plurality of attribute information to the plurality of objects selected by said first selection means at the same time and stores the plurality of attribute information in correspondence to each of the objects in the storage unit.
 23. An information processor according to claim 1, wherein the command issue means directs the copying of attribute information of the first object by issuing a copy command, and directs the addition of the thus copied attribute information to the second object by issuing an addition command.
 24. An information processor according to claim 23, further comprising a display means for displaying the objects or icons representing the objects in a screen, wherein said command issue means issues the copy command and the addition command according to a drag and drop in the screen from the first object or an icon representing the first object to the second object or an icon representing the second object.
 25. A method according to claim 5, wherein said step (b) includes the steps of issuing a copy command to copy the attribute information of the first object and issuing an add command to add the attribute information thus copied to the second object.
 26. A method according to claim 25, wherein a display is provided for displaying the objects or icons representing the objects in a screen, and wherein the steps of issuing the copy command and issuing the add command occur according to a drag and drop in the screen from the first object or an icon representing the first object to the second object or an icon representing the second object.
 27. A computer program product according to claim 7, wherein the command issue means directs the copying of attribute information of the first object by issuing a copy command, and directs the addition of the thus copied attribute information to the second object by issuing an addition command.
 28. A computer program product according to claim 27, further comprising a display means for displaying the objects or icons representing the objects in a screen, wherein said command issue means issues the copy command and the addition command according to a drag and drop in the screen from the first object or an icon representing the first object to the second object or an icon representing the second object. 